Decision: YES | Collierville Independent

For the second time in less than a year, Collierville residents said this week that they would like to create their own municipal school district.

They approved a referendum Tuesday by a vote of 7,927 or 94 percent to 483 or six percent.

The margin of victory this time exceeded the 87 percent for a referendum that was passed on Aug. 2, 2012.

“This referendum passed with a convincing margin, which was to be expected and it serves as a mandate from the citizens,” said Mayor Stan Joyner.

According to Joyner, the Collierville Board of Mayor and Aldermen is in the process of scheduling a special called meeting on Aug. 5 for the first reading of an ordinance to establish a Municipal School Board.

Citizens interested in running for the new school board can pull a petition starting on Aug. 26. The qualifying deadline for school board candidates to submit their petition is noon on Sept. 26. Election Day for the new school board is Nov. 7.

The municipal school district is expected to take effect at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.